Emporia State helps high school students explore teaching careers

June 11, 2012

Kansas high school students are getting to experience what it takes to be a teacher at the Kansas Future Teacher Academy in Emporia June 10-14. The academy consists of 23 Kansas high school students and is being held on the Emporia State University campus.

This is the 23rd year for the KFTA which is hosted at Emporia State University; a separate academy is held at Dodge City Community College. For the first time, students will combine on Thursday morning for the days’ events, including a forum with National Teachers Hall of Fame inductees and listening to national education expert, Harry Wong.

The KFTA is coordinated by the Jones Institute for Educational Excellence at Emporia State University. The academy is funded in part by the Kansas legislature.

Students are accepted into the academy based upon their academic standing, involvement in school and community activities, and interest in exploring a career in teaching. Participants will be involved in numerous activities during the week, including those centered on opportunities in education, problem-solving and leadership skills, personal goal setting, and technology in education.

They will tour the National Teachers Hall of Fame and will get to meet 1994 NTHF inductee Rich Ruffalo. Besides being a former teacher, Ruffalo is a track and field athlete who set new world records in the Paralympic Games after losing his eyesight.